The dog’s nose - undisputed

champion in scent detection

Dogs have been used by humans for hundreds of years to detect various scents. In the last couple of decades this ability has been formalised for commercial and criminal applications in fields such as forensics, narcotics and explosives detection. Since the early 2000’s this application has expanded to include biological scents, from commercial applications (termites and bedbugs) to conservation applications (cheetah, Amur tiger, ringed seals etc).Dogs are able to detect scents at far lower concentrations than humans and - generally speaking - have greater stamina and focus than human searchers. Using the tried and tested training technique of positive reinforcement, dogs can be trained to target a variety of scents - a reward of a favourite toy is all the incentive they need.Take a look through our site to see how our highly trained dogs can assist you.

“The major restriction to the use of trained scent-detection dogs appears to be human imagination”“Often more sensitive, reliable and practical than electronic scent-detection devices, dogs are also easy and cheap to train and put into action. Scent detection dogs make a significant contribution to the conservation programmes of many endangered species. In the future we can expect to see dogs involved more widely in chemical detection, conservation and disease diagnosis, both human and veterinary. The major restriction to the use of trained scent-detection dogs appears to be human imagination.” The use of scent-detection dogs. Browne et al, February, 2006. Irish Veterinary Journal Volume 59 (2)

The dog’s nose - undisputed

champion in scent detection

Dogs have been used by humans for hundreds of years to detect various scents. In the last couple of decades this ability has been formalised for commercial and criminal applications in fields such as forensics, narcotics and explosives detection. Since the early 2000’s this application has expanded to include biological scents, from commercial applications (termites and bedbugs) to conservation applications (cheetah, Amur tiger, ringed seals etc).Dogs are able to detect scents at far lower concentrations than humans and - generally speaking - have greater stamina and focus than human searchers. Using the tried and tested training technique of positive reinforcement, dogs can be trained to target a variety of scents - a reward of a favourite toy is all the incentive they need.Take a look through our site to see how our highly trained dogs can assist you.

“The major restriction to the use of trained scent-detection dogs appears to be human imagination”“Often more sensitive, reliable and practical than electronic scent-detection devices, dogs are also easy and cheap to train and put into action. Scent detection dogs make a significant contribution to the conservation programmes of many endangered species. In the future we can expect to see dogs involved more widely in chemical detection, conservation and disease diagnosis, both human and veterinary. The major restriction to the use of trained scent-detection dogs appears to be human imagination.” The use of scent-detection dogs. Browne et al, February, 2006. Irish Veterinary Journal Volume 59 (2)

services

The huge range of scent detection targets that dogs can be

trained to is probably only limited by our imagination...

Here is a short list of scent detection applications using dogs, which have all been scientifically verified:•Accelerants•Hazardous chemicals•Cancerous cells•Invasive animal and plant species•Oestrus in diary cows•Various species (Amur tigers, blue duck, San Joaquin kit foxes etc.)•Bird and bat carcasses for environmental surveys

Easy deployment

Dogs can work in virtually any terrain and show greater stamina, efficacy and reliability than human searchers. Target bias is virtually non existent.

Quick and cheap

Training to a target can be accomplished within a short period and is far cheaper than surveys conducted by humans or machines.No long term commitment requiredDue to the unique operating structure of Bio Dogs, all dogs can be used on a short term basis with no commitment to long term care required.

services

The huge range of scent detection targets that dogs

can be trained to is probably only limited by our

imagination...

Here is a short list of scent detection applications using dogs, which have all been scientifically verified:•Accelerants•Hazardous chemicals•Cancerous cells•Invasive animal and plant species•Oestrus in diary cows•Various species (Amur tigers, blue duck, San Joaquin kit foxes etc.)•Bird and bat carcasses for environmental surveys

Easy deployment

Dogs can work in virtually any terrain and show greater stamina, efficacy and reliability than human searchers. Target bias is virtually non existent.

Quick and cheap

Training to a target can be accomplished within a short period and is far cheaper than surveys conducted by humans or machines.No long term commitment requiredDue to the unique operating structure of Bio Dogs, all dogs can be used on a short term basis with no commitment to long term care required.

operating structure

A unique recruitment structure means no long term

obligation from the client is required

While detection dogs are undoubtedly an excellent method of biological surveys, the past use of this method has met with problems in respect of sourcing dogs and then caring for the dogs after survey completion.In some projects dogs were specifically acquired for detection work for specific surveys. This presented a multitude of problems... what if the dog did not achieve competence levels, who would care for the dog outside of surveys, what veterinary costs could arise and what happens to the dog once surveys are complete? In addition to the ethical problems mentioned above, there is also a substantial investment of time and money required to raise a dog to an age where it would be capable of detection work with NO guarantee that the dog would become a suitable detection dog.Bio Dogs solves these problems by recruiting privately-owned dogs from the dog sport fraternity. Bio Dogs provides training for these dogs and their handlers, which is paid for by the individual handlers. Once training is complete dog and handler teams are examined by an independent panel. A successful examination results in a 12 month certification for a team who is then made available for detection work via Bio Dogs. The dog sport fraternity is fairly large and well distributed in South Africa. Members of this fraternity view the owning and handling of a certified detection dog as a very prestigious accolade and are willing to put in the training hours, travel and adapt their schedule to accommodate a detection survey. By using privately-owned dogs there are noconcerns or commitments in respect of:•Feeding•Housing•Veterinary care•RetirementDog handlers employed by Bio Dogs are legally contracted to be wholly responsible for their dog’s care during any detection jobs. Clients of Bio Dogs can therefore rest assured that the welfare of the dog before, during and after a survey is entirely with the dog’s handler.Bio Dogs has trained 15 privately-owned dogs to certification standards. If the same number of dogs were specifically acquired for a project the cost to acquire, raise, house, feed and provide veterinary care to each of these dogs over their lifespan equates to approximately R150k, for each dog. Maintaining a pool of specifically acquired dogs of this size totals a sum of over R2.2m over a 12 year period. This is a massive amount of money and completely outside of the scope of detection projects. However using privately-owned dogs, this amount is totally absorbed by the dog’s owners. When the dogs are not working they simply go back to their normal life.

What Is The Procedure?1.Contact us and advise us of target scent, location, terrain and scope of project2.If we have a certified dog and handler team on our books which is already trained to that target the only charge is for the actual survey3.If the target scent is unique we will require a sample of the target and a short period to train the dog to this target.4.Once the dog is certified with the new target scent the client is charged for the training and the survey commences, which is then also charged.Survey and training rates vary greatly depending on target, terrain, location. Please contact usfor a custom quotation.

General Notes•Our dogs are highly trained and obedient, but they are not robots. We therefore ensure minimal environmental disruption by training our dogs to work on-lead and hence under control of the handler at all times•Clients are requested to inform all staff of the presence of a Bio Dogs detection team. Detection teams wear hi-vis apparel at all times.•Bio Dog handlers are trained in basic survey methodology (record-keeping, GPS etc) and also receive first aid training for their dogs.•Certification of the Bio Dogs detection teams is conducted annually to ensure that the teams retain high level sensitivity and specificity.

What Is The Procedure?1.Contact us and advise us of target scent, location, terrain and scope of project2.If we have a certified dog and handler team on our books which is already trained to that target the only charge is for the actual survey3.If the target scent is unique we will require a sample of the target and a short period to train the dog to this target.4.Once the dog is certified with the new target scent the client is charged for the training and the survey commences, which is then also charged.Survey and training rates vary greatly depending on target, terrain, location. Please contact usfor a custom quotation.

General Notes•Our dogs are highly trained and obedient, but they are not robots. We therefore ensure minimal environmental disruption by training our dogs to work on-lead and hence under control of the handler at all times•Clients are requested to inform all staff of the presence of a Bio Dogs detection team. Detection teams wear hi-vis apparel at all times.•Bio Dog handlers are trained in basic survey methodology (record-keeping, GPS etc) and also receive first aid training for their dogs.•Certification of the Bio Dogs detection teams is conducted annually to ensure that the teams retain high level sensitivity and specificity.

operating structure

A unique recruitment structure means no long

term obligation from the client is required

While detection dogs are undoubtedly an excellent method of biological surveys, the past use of this method has met with problems in respect of sourcing dogs and then caring for the dogs after survey completion.In some projects dogs were specifically acquired for detection work for specific surveys. This presented a multitude of problems... what if the dog did not achieve competence levels, who would care for the dog outside of surveys, what veterinary costs could arise and what happens to the dog once surveys are complete? In addition to the ethical problems mentioned above, there is also a substantial investment of time and money required to raise a dog to an age where it would be capable of detection work with NO guarantee that the dog would become a suitable detection dog.Bio Dogs solves these problems by recruiting privately-owned dogs from the dog sport fraternity. Bio Dogs provides training for these dogs and their handlers, which is paid for by the individual handlers. Once training is complete dog and handler teams are examined by an independent panel. A successful examination results in a 12 month certification for a team who is then made available for detection work via Bio Dogs. The dog sport fraternity is fairly large and well distributed in South Africa. Members of this fraternity view the owning and handling of a certified detection dog as a very prestigious accolade and are willing to put in the training hours, travel and adapt their schedule to accommodate a detection survey. By using privately-owned dogs there are noconcerns or commitments in respect of:•Feeding•Housing•Veterinary care•RetirementDog handlers employed by Bio Dogs are legally contracted to be wholly responsible for their dog’s care during any detection jobs. Clients of Bio Dogs can therefore rest assured that the welfare of the dog before, during and after a survey is entirely with the dog’s handler.Bio Dogs has trained 15 privately-owned dogs to certification standards. If the same number of dogs were specifically acquired for a project the cost to acquire, raise, house, feed and provide veterinary care to each of these dogs over their lifespan equates to approximately R150k, for each dog. Maintaining a pool of specifically acquired dogs of this size totals a sum of over R2.2m over a 12 year period. This is a massive amount of money and completely outside of the scope of detection projects. However using privately-owned dogs, this amount is totally absorbed by the dog’s owners. When the dogs are not working they simply go back to their normal life.